Medical Assistant Schools & Programs in Pennsylvania

If you’re interested in learning more about medical assistant programs in Pennsylvania, you’ve come to the right place! There are a variety of different certificates, diplomas and degree programs to choose from in this state.

Medical assistants may carry out clinical or administrative tasks such as removing stitches, changing dressings, using Electronic Health Record (EHR) software, or recording patients’ medical information. Before we get into education information for medical assistants in Arkansas, we thought you’d be interested to learn some general education information about the state...

Pennsylvania General Education Information and Data[vii]

There are 160 four-year institutions in Pennsylvania, compared to the national average of 56 – that’s a lot of schools!

There are 102 two-year institutions, significantly higher than the national average of 33

The national average for total male fall enrollment is 171,951 and Pennsylvania has 339,142

The total female fall enrollment in Pennsylvania is 438,981 while the national average is 228,592

F.A.Q.'s for Medical Assistants in Pennsylvania

What are the medical assisting job and earning statistics from Pennsylvania?

There are currently 24,570 medical assistants employed in Pennsylvania.[i]

There are 26,390 projected jobs by 2022, which is a 17% increase and approximately 820 annual job openings.[ii]

The annual mean 10th percentile wage for medical assistants in Pennsylvania is $21,390.[i]

The hourly mean 10th percentile wage is $10.23.[i]

Where do medical assistants work?

Medical assistants usually work in physician's offices, hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. They perform administrative and clinical tasks that involve working with patients, doctors, and other healthcare professionals. Did you know Pennsylvania boasts several hospitals ranked by U.S. News and World Report? The Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian is even ranked nationally in 13 specialties, including #4 and #8 for ear, nose & throat and cardiology & heart surgery, respectively.

Top 5 Regionally Ranked Hospitals in Pennsylvania:

Hospitals of the University of Pennsylvania-Penn Presbyterian

UPMC-University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

Lehigh Valley Hospital

Thomas Jefferson University Hospital

Lancaster General Hospital

What salary information is available for specific metro areas of Pennsylvania?

The highest (90th%) and lowest (10th%) annual mean salary for medical assistants in each of these metro areas is as follows: [i]

Metro Area

Lowest 10th% Salary

Highest 90th% Salary

Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ

$24,000

$39,080

Altoona, PA

$19,780

$34,970

Erie, PA

$20,710

$34,910

Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA

$21,520

$39,020

Johnstown, PA

$18,280

$34,620

Lancaster, PA

$21,690

$36,800

Lebanon, PA

$20,670

$39,930

Philadelphia, PA Metropolitan Division

$25,060

$43,970

Pittsburgh, PA

$20,750

$37,660

Reading, PA

$22,370

$38,510

Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA

$20,690

$38,320

State College, PA

$23,430

$37,900

Williamsport, PA

$22,290

$35,740

York-Hanover, PA

$23,740

$37,710

What is the annual mean 10th percentile wage for other health related fields in Pennsylvania?

Medical Billing & Coding: $24,610[iii]

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT): $20,560[iv]

Pharmacy Technician: $19,630[v]

CNA (certified nursing assistant): $20,810[vi]

How do I earn a medical assistant certification in Pennsylvania?

By attending a vocational school, community college, or university, you can enroll in a medical assistant program and pursue your certificate or diploma. Since many employers prefer hiring someone with a medical assisting certificate or degree, it makes sense to look into available medical assisting programs now. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies accredits five certifications for medical assistants.

Registered Professional Nurse:[ix] Requires certification from the Pennsylvania Department of State. Registered professional nurses diagnose and treat patients through services like health teaching, health counseling, and case-finding.

What medical assisting professional organizations are there in Pennsylvania?

Are you a post-graduate who is searching for possible networking opportunities for medical assistants? Then joining a medical assisting professional organization in Pennsylvania may be a great idea! The Pennsylvania State Society is a professional medical assisting state society organization and their website is http://www.americanmedtech.org/BeInvolved/StateSocieties/Pennsylvania.aspx. On their website, you can find information regarding upcoming events, new legislation, meetings, professional weeks, and even a photo gallery!

If you have decided to take the plunge and pursue a career in medical assisting, then take a look below at a list of schools in Pennsylvania that have medical assisting programs. Although certification or a diploma may not be necessary, remember that many employers prefer hiring job potential employees with degrees or certification.